Just One Spark (The Kingston Family 4)

Soaking in the claw-foot tub that had been a draw when she’d decided to rent this house, she leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to push aside all the questions about Dash—his intentions and, more importantly, his ability to remain committed to one woman for the long haul—that ran through her mind in a never-ending loop.

She failed miserably so she let her thoughts wander. Yes, the parties in his house had stopped ever since the day he’d found out he wasn’t going to become a father, and if Jagger and Mac wanted action, they went into town at night. With Labor Day over, the Hamptons had emptied out, and as winter came closer, she didn’t know how happy the guys would be here and not in the city. Her brother hadn’t said a word about remaining in the beach town and whether or not he’d feel isolated after his time in LA.

But after they finished an album, they’d go on tour. That’s what bands did. They wrote, they put out their music, they toured. And enjoyed everything that went along with the lifestyle of a rich and famous playboy rock and roll star. She’d seen it with her brother and his old band, and she’d heard the Kingstons talking about Dash’s behavior before the paternity test had come back.

Cassidy wasn’t insecure nor did she have low self-esteem. She was, however, a realist. And two weeks of playing boyfriend and girlfriend didn’t make for a relationship that would last. Even if they continued getting to know each other, her falling harder for him every day, how would she know he was a man she could put her trust and faith in?

She sighed. Worrying wouldn’t change anything, and the band going on tour was a long way off. Right now, she just needed to focus on her life, which included hiring a new assistant for the band and getting up to speed with Sasha on her new job.

She finally noticed the water had cooled. She unplugged the drain and climbed out, wrapping herself in a fluffy towel. After drying off, she dressed in a pair of soft shorts and a loose cropped top.

She was about to heat up some leftovers when her doorbell rang. Expecting it to be Dash, she drew a deep breath and strode to the door, surprised when she saw her brother waiting outside.

She opened the door and met his gaze. “Hi!”

“Hi, yourself. Got a few minutes?” He folded his arms across his chest and waited.

“For you? Always. Come on in.” She waved him over the threshold, and he walked in, heading straight for the kitchen, the place they usually gravitated to when he came over.

Her brother was handsome. With his dark blond, nearly brown hair that brushed his shoulders, he possessed a surfer boy look that women loved. If she didn’t objectively know that, the girls who had flocked to him, both in high school and now as a famous rock star, made it clear.

“I was just going to microwave leftover meatloaf. Can I interest you in some?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I ate plenty of food at Dash’s house. You didn’t?”

“No. I had a headache and wasn’t hungry.”

He pulled out a stool at the counter and sat down. “Feel better?”

She nodded. “I took a relaxing bath.”

He drummed his fingers on the counter. “Was it the number of people around or the family vibe that got to you?”

She loved her brother because she didn’t have to dig deep and reveal her pain. He just got her, as she did him. “It takes getting used to,” she murmured.

“And do you need to? Get used to it, I mean. Are you actually trying for a real relationship with Dash?”

She managed a shrug, given how she’d just gone over how confused she was herself.

He leaned forward on his elbows. “Cass, are you sure you know what you’re doing with him?”

“No, I don’t.” She stood across from him and leaned on her elbows, too.

“I warned him not to hurt you or he’d have to answer to me.”

She groaned. “You don’t need to get involved in my love life.” Especially because her choices with Dash impacted her brother’s future with the Original Kings.

“I knew something real was going on the night you two didn’t come home after the awards, and I confronted him when he got home.”

She glanced up at the ceiling. “You’re not my father!”

“I’m all you’ve got,” he oh so helpfully reminded her. “You said you’re not sure of what you’re doing. I get that. You’re scared and confused. So back it up. Do you trust him?”

She met her brother’s worried gaze. “I want to. And I know you guys are nowhere near a tour, but Dash has never been on the road with a girlfriend at home before.” She bit down on the inside of her cheek before continuing. “I heard stories today about naked women, and I don’t want to imagine what else could tempt him.” She blew out a long breath. “To be honest, it scares me, the wondering and not knowing. Can he resist temptation? How do I know?” She twisted her hands together, and Axel covered them with his own.